Gaming device having a multi-characteristic matching game including selection indicators

ABSTRACT

A gaming device having a game with a plurality of selections, where each selection has at least two characteristics. The gaming device is controlled by at least one processor to display a plurality of the selections; display an indication of one of the selections functioning as a base; determine at least one optimal selection from the displayed selections for providing a highest obtainable award for the game; display an indication of the optimal selection; and enable a player to input a pick of one of the plurality of displayed selections, other than the selection functioning as the base, where the picked selection has at least one characteristic that matches one of the characteristics of the selection functioning as the base.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/243,192, filed Sep. 13, 2002, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,056,209 which, in turn, is a continuation-in-part and claimsthe benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/813,698, filed Mar.21, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,502.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to the following commonly-owned co-pendingpatent applications: “GAMING DEVICE HAVING A MULTI-ROUND,MULTI-CHARACTERISTICS CARD GAME,” Ser. No. 10/661,219, “GAMING DEVICEHAVING A MULTI-CHARACTERISTIC MATCHING GAME,” Ser. No. 10/864,794,“COMPUTER SYSTEM COMMUNICABLE WITH ONE OR MORE GAMING DEVICES HAVING AMATCHING GAME WITH MULTIPLE ROUNDS,” Ser. No. 11/381,049, and “COMPUTERSYSTEM COMMUNICABLE WITH ONE OR MORE GAMING DEVICES HAVING A MATCHINGGAME,” Ser. No. 11/381,019.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains or maycontain material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyrightowner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction by anyone of thepatent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it appearsin the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwisereserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates in general to a gaming device, and moreparticularly to a gaming device having a multi-characteristic matchinggame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gaming devices such as slot machines, video poker machines, blackjackmachines and keno machines are well-known. Slot and other machineshaving primary and secondary or bonus games or schemes are also wellknown. Such gaming devices have schemes in which a player has one ormore opportunities to place wagers and interact with the gaming device.Since players continue to seek more entertainment and enjoyment fromdifferent types of gaming devices, it is desirable to provide playerswith gaming devices with new game schemes where the players have anopportunity to receive winning payouts and are entertained at the sametime.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a gaming device having amulti-characteristic matching game scheme. The multi-characteristicmatching game scheme of the present invention can be employed as aprimary or secondary or bonus game in a gaming device. The gaming deviceprovides a base and a plurality of selections. The base and each of theselections include a plurality of characteristics. To play the game, theplayer selects at least one selection that has at least onecharacteristic that matches (i.e., that is the same as, that is equal toor that is equivalent to) one of the characteristics of the base. Thegame continues as long as the player continues to match characteristicsbetween one of the selections and the base. If the player is unable tomake a match, the game terminates or alternatively replaces theselection with new selections. The gaming device provides the player anaward based on the number of matches and/or values associated with thematches.

Alternative embodiments of the present invention include providingmultiple bases, providing awards associated with different numbers ofmatches or different ranges of numbers of matches, providing awardvalues for each match, masking selections and having a varying number ofcharacteristics, selections and bases.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, one or more ofthe selections could have multi-part characteristics and/or could havefunctional elements. Multi-part characteristics could match more thanone or multiple different characteristics similar to the function of awild card. Functional elements of selections could perform actions suchas, but not limited to, changing one or more characteristics of thebase, changing one or more of the selections or characteristics of theselections, adding another base, eliminating a selection, etc.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a selection could revealassociated selections such as selections that the first selection wasblocking or overlaying. Such associated selections may have none, someor all of such selection's characteristics revealed to the player whileit was blocked. This would enable the player to strategically select theselection that would unblock or make available a desired selection.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the selection couldbe masked and revealed as they are selected. If the chosen selection hasa characteristic matching one of the characteristics of the base, it ismatched to (or replaces) the base, otherwise the revealed selection is amiss. In this embodiment, a defined number of misses would end the game.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, themulti-characteristic matching game includes a plurality of rounds. Ineach round, the gaming device displays a base including at least twocharacteristics and a plurality of selections, which each include atleast two of the characteristics. The characteristics may be symbols,colors, numbers, letters, character's, images or any other suitablecharacteristics. In another embodiment, the gaming device displays aplurality of selections at the beginning of a game and enables theplayer to pick the base selection or base from the plurality ofselections.

In each round of the game, the gaming device enables the player to pickselections having at least one characteristic that matches one of thecharacteristics of the base. The player continues to pick selections ineach round until there are no selections including at least onecharacteristic that matches one of the characteristics of the base inthat round. Each time the player picks a selection in a round, theselection is removed and cannot be re-picked in that round. Therefore,after each pick of the selections, if at least one of thecharacteristics of the picked selection matches one of thecharacteristics on the base, the picked selection replaces the base asthe new base in the round. In one embodiment, the gaming devicegenerates and displays a base at the beginning of the game. In anotherembodiment, the gaming displays a plurality of selections to the playerand enables the player to pick the base from the selections. The gamethen continues as described above.

In one embodiment, the gaming device provides an award for each pickedselection that includes a characteristic that matches one of thecharacteristics of the base. The award may be values, credits,multipliers or any suitable award. In another embodiment, the gamingdevice provides an award to the player for each matching characteristicbetween a picked selection and the base. For example, the gaming deviceprovides two awards when the player picks a selection including twocharacteristics that match two of the characteristics of the base. Inanother embodiment, the gaming device provides at least one multiplierto the player when multiple characteristics of the picked selectionmatch multiple characteristics of the base. In one aspect of thisembodiment, the multiplier is based on the number of matchingcharacteristics between the picked selection and the base. In a furtherembodiment, a modifier such as a multiplier is associated with each ofthe rounds and modifies the accumulated award in each of those rounds.The player continues to pick selections in each round until there are norounds remaining in the game. At the end of the game, the modifiedawards are summed from each of the rounds to provide a total award tothe player for the game.

In a further embodiment, a modifier is associated with at least one ofthe selections in the rounds of the game. The modifiers may be viewableby a player or masked or hidden from the player. The player picks theselections and obtains the modifier associated with each of the pickedselections when the picked selections include at least onecharacteristic that matches one of the characteristics of the base. Anymodifiers obtained by the player from the selections are added ortransferred to the modifier displays in each of the rounds.

In one embodiment, the modifiers associated with each of the rounds in agame are multipliers. In one aspect of this embodiment, at least two ofthe multipliers associated with the rounds are different. In anotheraspect of this embodiment, a plurality of the multipliers associatedwith the rounds are different. In a further aspect of this embodiment,all of the multipliers associated with the rounds are different. Themultipliers may change in one or more of the rounds. In one embodiment,the multipliers increase in each round of the game. In anotherembodiment, the multipliers increase in a plurality of the rounds of thegame. It should be appreciated that the multipliers may increase,decrease or remain unchanged in one or more of the rounds of the game.Additionally, the multipliers may be pre-determined, randomlydetermined, determined based upon a wager made by a player in the gameor according to any suitable determination method.

In another embodiment, the awards provided to the player for eachmatching selection in the rounds are different in each round. In anotherembodiment, the plurality of the awards are different in the rounds. Theawards may be randomly determined, predetermined, determined by a wagermade by the player or determined according to any other suitable method.Additionally, the awards may increase, decrease or remain unchanged inone or more rounds of the game. The awards may be values, credits,multipliers or any suitable award. Alternatively, the awards may equalthe value or values of one or more characteristics associated with apicked selection.

In a further embodiment, the gaming device provides a bonus award to theplayer when the player matches at least one characteristic of each ofthe selections in a round with one of the characteristics on the base inthat round. In other words, the bonus award is provided to the player ifthe player uses all of the selections in the round. The bonus award maybe provided to the player in one round, or a plurality of the rounds ina game, or in all of the rounds in a game. Furthermore, the bonus awardmay be one or more values, credits, multipliers, or any suitable awards.The bonus award is added to the players total award in the round inwhich the player obtained the bonus award. Additionally, the bonus awardmay be added to the other awards obtained by the player in the round andthen modified by the modifier in that round. Alternatively, the bonusaward is added to the modified award in each of the rounds.

In a further embodiment, the base and the selections in each of therounds are playing cards. In this embodiment, the player picks cardselections to match at least one of the characteristics on the cardselections such as the suit, color or type of card, with one of thecharacteristics on the base card. The player continues to pick cardselections in each of the rounds until there are no selections includingat least one characteristic that matches one of the characteristics ofthe base or until there are no card selections remaining in the round.

As described above, a player's goal is to continue to pick selectionsthat include at least one characteristic that matches one of thecharacteristics of the base. Because the picked selection replaces thebase when the picked selection includes at least one characteristic thatmatches one of the characteristics of the base, the player mustdetermine how many matching selections the player can make by pickingeach of the initially displayed selections. The optimal or bestselection in each pick therefore, is the selection that enables theplayer to match the most selections in the game. Thus, the playerattempts to pick the selections that will enable the player to match themost selections in the game to maximize the player's award in the game.

In a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, amulti-characteristic matching game includes a prompt or indicator whichdirects the player to one of the selections in a game, and preferable tothe best pick, best selection or optimal play or selection in the gameat a point in time in the game. The prompt or indicator may indicate theselections by highlighting or illuminating, the designated selections.The gaming device may also indicate the designated selection bydisplaying a prompt or indicator adjacent to or near the designatedselection. In one embodiment, the prompt is a statement such as “bestpick” or any other suitable phrase or statement. The displayed prompt orindicator directs the player to the best selection or best pick in thatround or game. In one embodiment, if the player does not pick theselection which is designated as the best pick by the gaming device, thegaming device continues to direct the player to the best pick until theplayer picks the best pick or best selection in the round or game. Thus,the gaming device ensures that the player will pick the best selectionor selections in the game and therefore, obtain the best possible awardin the game.

In another embodiment, the gaming device indicates or displays the bestpick or optimal selection to the player in one or more picks of theselections. Thus, the gaming device does not display or direct theplayer to the best pick in each pick of the selections. In thisembodiment, the best pick or best selection may be designated in one ormore picks of the selections. The gaming device may randomly determine,predetermine or determine based on a wager by the player when to displayor direct the player to the best pick in a game.

In one embodiment, the gaming device displays a plurality of selectionsto the player and enables the player to pick one of the selections to bethe base at the beginning of a game. In this embodiment, the gamingdevice indicates which selection is the best pick or best selection tobe the base in the game.

In one embodiment, the gaming device directs a player to the best pickor best selection in one or more picks in a game based on the player'sprevious pick or picks in that game. In this embodiment, the gamingdevice enables the player to pick one of the selections in the game. Ifthe player does not pick the best selection, the gaming device directsthe player to the best selection. In one aspect of this embodiment, thegaming device continues to direct the player to the best selection untilthe player picks the best selection. In another aspect of thisembodiment, the gaming device directs the player to the best selectionwhen the player does not pick the best selection for a designated numberof picks of the selections. If the player picks a selection, other thanthe best selection, after the designated number of picks, the gamingdevice enables the player to pick that selection instead of the bestselection. In one embodiment, the gaming device resets the designatednumber of picks each time a best selection is indicated in the game. Inanother embodiment, the gaming device stops indicating the bestselection once the player exceeds the designated number of picks in thegame.

In a further embodiment, the gaming device includes one or moreadditional prompts or indicators, which direct a player to the bestpick. The additional prompts or indicators further direct the player tothe best pick in a round or game. The additional prompts or indicatorsmay be a prompt statement or phrase or any other suitable indicator orprompt as desired by the game implementor.

In another embodiment, the gaming device indicates and directs theplayer to the best pick or best selection in a round or game, which isnot a selection including a wild symbol or wild characteristic. Thegaming device continues to indicate or direct the player to the bestselection or best pick in the round or game, which does not include awild symbol or wild characteristic, until the unpicked selections onlyinclude wild symbols or wild characteristics or until there are noselections remaining in the round or game.

It should be appreciated that the indicators or prompts can be providedto or displayed to the player before the player picks a selection orafter the player picks a non-optimal selection.

It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide agaming device having a multi-characteristic matching primary gamescheme.

It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a gamingdevice having a multi-characteristic matching secondary game scheme.

It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a gamingdevice having a multi-characteristic matching game including a pluralityof rounds.

It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a gamingdevice having a multi-characteristic matching game including anindicator which directs the player to the best selection in a round orgame.

It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a gamingdevice having a multi-characteristic matching game including two or moreindicators which direct the player to the best pick or best selection inthe round or game.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to likeparts, elements, components, steps and processes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of alternative embodiments of thegaming device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the electronic configuration ofone embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a table illustrating two characteristics used in oneembodiment of the multi-characteristic matching game of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E are front elevational views of a display ofone embodiment of the multi-characteristic matching game of the presentinvention illustrating selections having at least one characteristicthat matches a characteristic of a base from a plurality of selections.

FIG. 5 is a pay table used in one embodiment of the matching game of thepresent invention illustrating the awards, credits or bonus valuesassociated with the number of matches.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F and 6G are front elevational views of adisplay of an alternative embodiment of the multi-characteristicmatching game of the present invention illustrating a base having twocharacteristics and choosing selections having at least onecharacteristic that matches a characteristic of the base from theplurality of selections.

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C are front elevational views of a display of anotheralternative embodiment of the multi-characteristic matching game of thepresent invention illustrating two bases and choosing selections havingat least one characteristic that matches a characteristic of one of thebase from the plurality of selections.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are front elevational views of a display of yet anotheralternative embodiment of the multi-characteristic matching game of thepresent invention illustrating a base having two characteristics andchoosing selections from the plurality of selections having at least onecharacteristic that matches a characteristic of the base from theplurality of selections.

FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C are front elevational views of a display of yetanother alternative embodiment of the multi-characteristic matching gameof the present invention illustrating a base having two characteristicsand choosing selections having at least one characteristic that matchesa characteristic of the base from a decreasing number of selections.

FIG. 10 is a table illustrating three characteristics used in analternative embodiment of the multi-characteristic matching game of thepresent invention.

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of a display of one embodiment ofthe multi-characteristic matching game of FIG. 10 illustrating a basehaving three characteristics and choosing a selection from a pluralityof selections, wherein the selection has at least one characteristicthat matches a characteristic of the base.

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of a display of one embodiment ofthe multi-characteristic matching game illustrating a base and aplurality of masked selections.

FIG. 13A is a front elevational view of a display of one embodiment ofthe multi-characteristic matching game illustrating a base and aplurality of sets of selections wherein one of the selections in eachset is revealed and the other selections in each set are masked.

FIG. 13B is a front elevational view of a display of one embodiment ofthe multi-characteristic matching game illustrating a base and aplurality of sets of selections wherein one of the selections in eachset is not revealed and the rest of the selections in each set arepartially revealed and partially masked.

FIG. 13C is a front elevational view of a display of one embodiment ofthe multi-characteristic matching game illustrating a base and aplurality of sets of selections wherein each selection in each set isrevealed to the player.

FIG. 14 is an elevation view of a display device of an alternativeembodiment of the multi-characteristic matching game of the presentinvention where the matching game includes a plurality of rounds.

FIGS. 15A to 15K are elevation views of a display device of theembodiment FIG. 14 illustrating an example of a multi-characteristicmatching game including a plurality of rounds.

FIG. 16 is an elevation view of a display device of another embodimentof the multi-characteristic matching game of the present inventionillustrating a matching game having different rounds and differentmodifiers associated with each of the rounds.

FIG. 17 is an elevation view of a display device of another alternativeembodiment of the multi-characteristic matching game of the presentinvention illustrating a plurality of selections wherein an indicatordirects a player to one of the selections.

FIGS. 18A to 18C are elevation views of an example of the embodiment ofFIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is an elevation view of a display device of another embodimentof the multi-characteristic matching game of the present inventionillustrating a plurality of selections where two or more differentindicators are employed in a game to direct the player to one of theselections in the game.

FIGS. 20A to 20C are elevation views of an example of the embodiment ofFIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is an elevation view of a display device of a further embodimentof the multi-characteristic matching game of the present inventionillustrating a plurality of selections wherein the indicator directs theplayer to pick one of the selections in the game, which is not aselection including a wild characteristic.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Gaming Device and Electronics

Referring now to the drawings, two embodiments of the gaming device ofthe present invention are illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B as gamingdevice 10 a and gaming device 10 b, respectively. Gaming device 10 aand/or gaming device 10 b are generally referred to herein as gamingdevice 10. Gaming device 10 preferably has controls, displays andfeatures of a conventional gaming machine. It is constructed so that aplayer can operate it while standing or sitting, and gaming device 10 ispreferably mounted on a console. However, it should be appreciated thatgaming device 10 can be constructed as a pub-style table-top game (notshown) which a player can operate preferably while sitting. Furthermore,gaming device 10 can be constructed with varying cabinet and displaydesigns, as illustrated by the designs shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Gamingdevice 10 can also be implemented as a program code stored in adetachable cartridge for operating a hand-held video game device.Additionally, gaming device 10 can be implemented as a program codestored on a disk or other memory device which a player can use in adesktop or laptop personal computer or other computerized platform.

If the present invention is employed as a bonus game, the gaming device10 can incorporate any primary game such as slot, poker, blackjack orkeno, any of their bonus triggering events and any other bonus game inaddition to the bonus game of the present invention. The symbols andindicia used on and in gaming device 10 may be in mechanical, electricalor video form.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, gaming device 10 includes a coin slot12 and bill acceptor 14 where the player inserts money, coins or tokens.The player can place coins in the coin slot 12 or paper money or ticketvouchers in the bill acceptor 14. Other devices could be used foraccepting payment such as readers or validators for credit cards ordebit cards. When a player inserts money in gaming device 10, a numberof credits corresponding to the amount deposited is shown in a creditdisplay 16. After depositing the appropriate amount of money, a playercan begin the game by pulling arm 18 or pushing play button 20. Playbutton 20 can be any play activator used by the player which starts anygame or sequence of events in the gaming device 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, gaming device 10 also includes a betdisplay 22 and a bet one button 24. The player places a bet by pushingthe bet one button 24. The player can increase the bet by one crediteach time the player pushes the bet one button 24. When the playerpushes the bet one button 24, the number of credits shown in the creditdisplay 16 decreases by one, and the number of credits shown in the betdisplay 22 increases by one.

At any time before or after playing the game, a player may “cash out”and thereby receive a number of coins corresponding to the number ofremaining credits by pushing a cash out button 26. When the player“cashes out,” the player receives the coins in a coin payout tray 28.The gaming device 10 may employ other payout mechanisms such as creditslips redeemable by a cashier or electronically recordable cards whichkeep track of the player's credits.

Gaming device 10 also includes one or more display devices. Theembodiment shown in FIG. 1A includes a central display device 30, andthe alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 1B includes a central displaydevice 30 as well as an upper display device 32. Gaming device 10 adisplays a plurality of reels 34, preferably three to five reels 34 inmechanical or video form. In this game, the present invention isemployed in a bonus round at one or more of the display devices. Gamingdevice 10 b displays a base card and a plurality of selections on thedisplay device 32. In this game, the present invention is employed as aprimary and/or secondary game. However, it should be appreciated thatthe display devices can display any visual representation or exhibition,including but not limited to movement of physical objects such asmechanical reels, cards, symbols, wheels, dynamic lighting and videoimages. A display device 32, 34 can be any viewing surface such asglass, a video monitor or screen, a liquid crystal display or any otherdisplay mechanism. If the reels, cards or other displayed images are invideo form, the display device 32, 34 for the video reels, cards orother displayed images is preferably a video monitor.

The displays include a plurality of indicia such as bells, hearts,fruits, numbers, letters, bars or other images such as playing cards,which preferably correspond to a theme associated with the gaming device10. Furthermore, the gaming device 10 preferably includes speakers 36for making sounds or playing music.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the general electronic configuration of gamingdevice 10 preferably includes: a processor 38; a memory device 40 forstoring program code or other data; a central display device 30; anupper display device 32; a sound card 42; a plurality of speakers 36;and one or more input devices 44. The processor 38 is preferably amicroprocessor or microcontroller-based platform which is capable ofdisplaying images, symbols and other indicia such as images of people,characters, places, things and faces of cards. The memory device 40 mayinclude random access memory (RAM) 46 for storing event data or otherdata generated or used during a particular game. The memory device 40may also include read only memory (ROM) 48 for storing program codewhich controls the gaming device 10 so that it plays a particular gamein accordance with applicable game rules and pay tables.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the player preferably uses the input devices44, such as pull arm 18, play button 20, the bet one button 24 and thecash out button 26 to input signals into gaming device 10. In certaininstances, it is preferable to use a touch screen 50 and an associatedtouch screen controller 52 instead of a conventional video monitordisplay device.

The touch screen 50 and the touch screen controller 52 are connected toa video controller 54 and processor 38. A player can make decisions andinput signals into the gaming device 10 by touching touch screen 50 atthe appropriate places. As further illustrated in FIG. 2, the processor38 may be connected to coin slot 12 or bill acceptor 14. The processor38 may be programmed to require a player to deposit a certain amount ofmoney in order to start the game.

It should be appreciated, that although a processor 38 and memory device40 are preferable implementations of the present invention, the presentinvention can also be implemented using one or more application-specificintegrated circuits (ASIC's) or other hard-wired devices, or usingmechanical devices (collectively referred to herein as a “processor”).Furthermore, although the processor 38 and memory device 40 preferablyreside on each gaming device 10 unit, it is possible to provide some orall of their functions at a central location such as a network serverfor communicating with a playing station over a local area network(LAN), wide area network (WAN), Internet connection, microwave link, andthe like. The processor 38 and memory device 40 is generally referred toherein as the computer or controller.

With reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2 and where the present invention isemployed in a bonus round, to operate the gaming device 10 in oneembodiment the player inserts the appropriate amount of money or tokensat coin slot 12 or bill acceptor 14 and then pulls the arm 18 or pushthe play button 20. If the game is a slot machine, the reels 34 willthen begin to spin. Eventually, the reels 34 will come to a stop. Aslong as the player has credits remaining, the player can spin the reels34 again. Depending upon where the reels 34 stop, the player may or maynot win additional credits.

In addition to winning credits in this manner, preferably gaming device10 also gives players the opportunity to win credits in a bonus round.This type of gaming device 10 will include a program which automaticallybegins a bonus round when the player has achieved a qualifying conditionin the game. This qualifying condition can be a particular arrangementof indicia on the display device. The gaming device 10 preferably uses avideo-based central display device 30 to enable the player to play thebonus round. Preferably, the qualifying condition is a predeterminedcombination of indicia appearing on a plurality of reels 34. Asillustrated in the five reel slot game shown in FIG. 1A, the qualifyingcondition could be the number seven appearing on three adjacent reels 34along a payline 56. It should be appreciated that the present inventioncan include one or more paylines displayed in a horizontal and/ordiagonal fashion.

The present invention can also be employed as a primary game in a gamingmachine as shown in FIG. 1B. In this embodiment, a pre-set orpredetermined number of matches would be required for a win. Forinstance, five matches could be required for a minimum win. The numberof matches greater than the minimum number could increase the amount orvalue of the win. A number of matches such as 7 matches may also triggera bonus game.

Gaming Scheme

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 5, one embodiment of amulti-characteristic matching game of the present invention isillustrated. The gaming device 10 provides a base and a plurality ofselections. The base and each of the selections have two characteristicsand can have multi-part characteristics as described below. However, itshould be appreciated that the base and selections could have more thantwo characteristics and can have multi-part characteristics as describedbelow. A player picks, chooses or selects at least one selection thathas at least one characteristic that matches at least one of thecharacteristics of the base. The gaming device 10 counts the matches andprovides the player an award such as credits based on the number ofmatches or a value associated with the matches as further discussedbelow. The game continues as long as the player continues to specifyselections which have at least one characteristic that matches one ofthe characteristics of the base. The game terminates if the player isunable to make such a selection.

The multi-characteristic matching game of the present invention may beemployed as a primary game in a gaming machine or a bonus gameassociated with a gaming device having a primary game. For purposes ofthis application, the multi-characteristic match game of the presentinvention is primarily described as a bonus game. The gaming device 10employing the present invention in a bonus game initiates the bonusround when the player achieves a qualifying condition as discussedabove.

Additionally, the gaming device 10 may include two versions of themulti-characteristic matching game including, both a primary game and abonus round. The primary game could include one version of themulti-characteristic matching game that is more difficult to win (i.e.,difficult to achieve a large number of matches, limiting the chance ofwinning or advancing to the bonus round). The bonus round could includeanother version of the multi-characteristic matching game that is easierto win in comparison to the primary game and that could include a muchlarger award or jackpot. It should also be appreciated that the gamingdevice 10 could also provide a plurality of multi-characteristicmatching games sequentially played to obtain a large jackpot.

Preferably, the multi-characteristic matching game includes a pluralityof characteristics associated with the base and each selection. Table100 in FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the matching game having twosets of characteristics assigned to the base and the selections. Itshould be appreciated that while only two sets of characteristics areillustrated, two or more sets are contemplated.

Table 100 illustrates a set of numbers consisting of numbers 1 through 9(referred to as Characteristic 1 and generally designated 102) and a setof letters consisting of letters A through D (referred to asCharacteristic 2 and generally designated 104). In this embodiment, thegaming device 10 provides 36 possible combinations of Characteristics 1and 2. It should be appreciated that any suitable number of eachcharacteristic may be employed in accordance with the present invention.

The gaming device 10 preferably assigns or associates one characteristicfrom each of the characteristic sets to the base and to each selection.It should be appreciated that more than one characteristic from each setcould be assigned or associated with the base and the selections. In oneembodiment of the gaming device 10, the controller randomly selects orassigns the characteristics to the base and the selections. In anotherembodiment of the present invention, the gaming device 10 could includean algorithm that assigns a weight factor to each characteristic, sothat specific values of one characteristic set having higher weightfactors have a greater chance of being selected by the gaming device.This may result in such specific characteristics having a greater chanceof being associated with specific values of the other set or that suchspecific characteristics have a greater chance of being assigned to thebase or selections. This weight factor may be consistent throughout theentire matching game or may change after each match. In a preferredembodiment of the present invention discussed herein, prior to beginningordinary play of the game, the controller assigns or associates thecharacteristics to the base and the selections such that the base andthe selections are all different (i.e., do not have all of the samecharacteristics.) In the embodiment utilizing 36 combinations, therewould be one base and 35 selections which are all different.

While numbers and letters are illustrated as characteristics, any typeof characteristics could be employed in connection with the presentinvention such as characters, pictures and images. The sets ofcharacteristics may have some predetermined or logical relationship. Forexample, the sets could include values and suits associated with a deckof cards, months of the year and signs of the Zodiac, televisionprograms and characters, sport teams and positions, cities and states,etc. Alternatively, the sets may not have any logical relationship. Forexample, one set could include colors and the other set could includenumbers.

Referring now to one embodiment of the multi-characteristic matchinggame illustrated in FIGS. 4A through 4E, the gaming device provides ascreen or display 106 (which is preferably a touch screen provided bydisplay devices 30 or 32). The display enables the player to pick,choose or select at least one selection from a plurality of selectionshaving at least one characteristic that matches at least onecharacteristic of the base.

In this illustrated embodiment, the display displays a base 108, a matchdisplay 110 and a plurality of selections 112, 114, 116, 118 and 120. Itshould be appreciated that while five selections are illustrated, anysuitable number of selections are contemplated. Appropriate messagessuch as “SELECTIONS,” “MAKE A SELECTION” or “SELECT A MATCH” arepreferably provided to the player visually, or through suitable audio oraudiovisual displays in conjunction with the plurality of selections.

The match display 110 tracks and displays the number of matches. In theillustrated embodiment, the award display is labeled “METER,” trackingthe total number of matches made during the matching game. Each time theplayer makes a match, the match display 110 increases by one increment.The meter may start at zero or one as desired by the implementor of thegame. Preferably, the number of matches has some corresponding awardvalue as discussed subsequently, although other award methods arecontemplated also as further discussed below.

In the illustrated embodiment, the controller selects a base and fiveselections from the thirty-six possible selections. In an alternativeembodiment, the gaming device could: (a) select at least one value fromthe plurality of values of Characteristic 1 (here the number 8), assignit to the base and display it as C1; (b) select two or more values fromthe plurality of values of Characteristic 1 (here the numbers 8, 1, 5, 7and 3), assign one to each of the five selections 112, 114, 116, 118 and120, respectively, and display them as C1; (c) select at least one valuefrom the plurality of values of Characteristic 2 (here the letter D),assign it to the base and display it as C2; (d) select two or morevalues from the plurality of values of Characteristic 2 (here theletters A, B, C, A and D), assign one to each of the five selections112, 114, 116, 118 and 120, respectively, and display them as C2 asindicated.

In an alternate embodiment, the gaming device could select a base andselection that already have all characteristics predetermined.

It should be appreciated that one, more or none of the selections mayinitially have a characteristic that matches the base characteristic.When the invention is employed as a primary game, there may be nomatches.

During the first play of the matching game illustrated in FIG. 4A, thebase displays C1=8 and C2=D. The player looks for a selection having acharacteristic matching either characteristic of the base. In thisillustrated embodiment, selection 112 has a characteristic C1=8 thatmatches C1 of the base. The player selects selection 112.

The gaming device preferably highlights selection 112 or otherwiseindicates the selection. The gaming device also records this match inthe match display 110, incrementing the number of matches by one, sothat the match display reads “01.” The matching game continues asillustrated in FIGS. 4B through 4E.

The gaming device provides a new base as illustrated in FIG. 4B. In thepreferred embodiment, the gaming device replaces the base of theprevious play with selection 112. Specifically, the gaming devicereplaces C1 and C2 of the base 108 with C1 and C2 of selection 112 fromFIG. 4A. The gaming device displays base 108 having C1=8 and C2=A. Itshould be appreciated, however, that the gaming device couldalternatively provide a new base in a different manner such as selectinga new C1 and C2 from Characteristics 1 and 2 similar to that describedpreviously. The gaming device also generates a new selection 112(illustrated in FIG. 4B) from the remaining combinations of 36 originalcombinations. In this example, the gaming device provides a selection112 displaying C1=7 and C2=C as illustrated in FIG. 4B.

The player again picks one of the selections having a characteristicthat matches one of the characteristics of the new base 108. The playerpicks selection 118 having C2=A that matches C2=A of the base asillustrated. Again, the gaming device highlights the selection andrecords the match in the match display 110, incrementing the METER by 1so that it displays “02.”

The matching game continues, alternatively providing new bases andselections as illustrated in FIGS. 4C through 4E until the matching gameends or is terminated. In this embodiment, the matching game terminateswhen the player is unable to select a characteristic that matches one ofthe characteristics of the base as illustrated in FIG. 4E. That is,there are no more possible matches.

The gaming device terminates the matching game and determines whetherthe game should provide the player with an award. Alternatively, thematching game could continue until the player has selected apredetermined number of matches. The gaming device could continue thematching game until the players has matched all combinations of C1 andC2, here 36 matches. Furthermore, the gaming device may provide acceptand reject buttons enabling the player to terminate the matching gameafter each match. In this embodiment, the accept or reject decisionmight occur before the replacement selection is revealed. If the offeris rejected, and no characteristics of the selections match those of thebase, the player will receive an award smaller than the previous offer.

Preferably, if the present invention is implemented as a bonus round,the gaming device provides the player with an award after terminatingthe matching game.

In one embodiment, the award is based on the number of matches asprovided by the match display. Preferably, the greater the number ofmatches, the higher the award value as illustrated by pay table 122 inFIG. 5. It should be appreciated that the gaming device may providedifferent awards for a range of matches (i.e., 5 to 9 matches may havean associated award of 10 credits while 10 to 14 matches may have anassociated award of 50 credits). Each individual match may have anassociated award (i.e., one match is worth one credit, two matches isworth two credits, etc.). Additionally, the gaming device 10 may provideawards based on a combination of ranges and individual matches asillustrated in the pay table. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4Athrough 4E, the player has 5 matches and is awarded 10 credits inaccordance with the pay table. Had the player made 10 matches, thegaming device would award the player 50 credits. It should beappreciated that the pay table 122 is provided as an example only.

While awarding credits based on the number of matches is preferred,other methods are contemplated for rewarding the player for playing thematching game. The award could be based on the value of the selections.For example, selecting a selection having C1=7 may result in the playerreceiving an award of 7, while a selection having C1=3 may result in theplayer receiving an award of 3. These awards would be added anddisplayed to the player in a value display as described below.

Alternatively, each characteristic could have a predetermined value,where each selection would result in the player receiving apredetermined award (10 credits for example). The gaming device mayassign the characteristics different predetermined values, whereinmatching one set of characteristics results in one predetermined amount(10 credits for example) while matching another characteristic mayresult in another predetermined amount (5 credits for example). Thegaming device 10 could also randomly assign an award to the player oraccording to some algorithm. The number of matches may lead to a certainlevel of play at a next level such as a number of picks given forprizes.

In another embodiment, the gaming device 10 may award the player basedon the last match. That is, the player may not receive an award untilthe last selection, at which time the gaming device 10 awards the valueof the last selection to the player. For example, if the last remainingunmatched base has a characteristic of 7, the gaming device 10 couldprovide that player with an award of 7. It should be appreciated thatthis award may include a predetermined amount associated with the lastselection or some other value associated with the last selection.

The gaming device 10 could also provide credits based on the number ofmatches and some value modified or altered by a modifying factor. Forexample, the matching game may include a multiplier such as 2×, 3×, 8×,etc., wherein the gaming device 10 provides an award equal to two, threeor eight times the number of matches or predetermined value. Themodifying factor could include factors other than a multiplier. Forexample, embodiments of the matching game are contemplated wherein thegame tracks both the value for each match and the number of matches. Theaward could be based on some combination of these two, whethermultiplied together, added together or subtracted one from the other(i.e., value of picked selection plus number of matches or times numberof matches).

The gaming device 10 could provide an award wherein the value or numberof selections not matched are used to modify the award. For example, thegaming device 10 could track those selections that are not matched bythe player during the game. The gaming device 10 could track the numberof the selections, the value of the selections, a predetermined value ofthe selections, etc. This number could then be used to modify the award.In this embodiment, the number would be used to reduce the award.

The gaming device 10 could also award the player based on some otherfactor. For example, the gaming device 10 might associate credits withspecific selections. The gaming device 10 would award the player anextra or bonus value if certain selections are matched. Alternatively,the gaming device 10 may provide an extra or bonus value if the playeris able to match all the selections or all possible combinations of thecharacteristics.

A further alternative embodiment of the multi-characteristic matchinggame of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D,6E, 6F and 6G. The gaming device 10 provides a display 206 having a base208, a match display 210 and a plurality of selections 212, 214, 216,218, 220 and 221. It should be appreciated that six selections increasesthe player's chance of making a match assuming the number in the sets ofcharacteristics remains the same.

In this embodiment, the award display includes a value display 210Alabeled “VALUE” and a match display 210B labeled “METER.” The valuedisplay 210A tracks the awards for the matches made during the matchinggame. Preferably, the matches have some predetermined award value thatis consistent throughout the matching game. For example, each match maybe worth 100 credits. It should also be appreciated that differentmatches may have different awards. For example, matching thecharacteristics C1 may be worth 100 points as illustrated in FIGS. 6A,6C and 6F. However, matching characteristics C2 may only be worth 50points, as illustrated in FIGS. 6B, 6D and 6E. The match display 210Btracks the matches as described above.

The gaming device 10 assigns characteristics C1 and C2 to the base andthe selections as described previously. During the first play of thisexample bonus game illustrated in FIG. 6A, the base displays C1=8 andC2=D. The player selects selection 212 having a characteristic C1=8 thatmatches the C1 of the base.

The gaming device 10 records this match or selection in the awarddisplay 210, recording a predetermined award of 100 in value display210A and incrementing the number of matches by one, so that matchdisplay 210B is “01.” The multi-characteristic matching game continuesas illustrated in FIGS. 6B through 6G.

The gaming device 10 provides a new base and generates a new selection212 as illustrated in FIG. 6B. The player again selects one of theselections having a characteristic that matches one of thecharacteristics of the new base. The player picks selection 218 havingC2=A that matches C2=A of the base as illustrated. The gaming device 10highlights the selection, and records the award in the award display210, incrementing the value display 210A by 50 so that it displays 150and the match display 210B by 1 so that it displays “02.”

The matching game continues, alternatively providing new bases andselections as illustrated. In this embodiment, the matching gameincludes a wild characteristic (labeled “WILD”) that may match any othercharacteristic as illustrated in FIGS. 6E and 6F. It should beappreciated that the wild characteristic could be assigned to C1, C2 orboth C1 and C2 of any base or selection. In one embodiment, the playermust match a selection before the wild characteristic may be utilized.Alternatively, the wild characteristic may be utilized at any time. InFIG. 6E, the matching game provides selection 216 having C1=WILD andC2=C. In this embodiment, the player must match selection 216 before thewild characteristic may be utilized as illustrated in FIGS. 6E and 6F.

It should be appreciated that the wild characteristics could have amultiplier or other factor associated with it. That is, using the wildcharacteristic could result in values or matches being increased. Forexample, the wild characteristic could include a 2× multiplier, so thatthe award or number of matches is doubled. Alternatively, thismultiplier or another suitable modifier could be employed at any time bythe multi-characteristics matching game.

Referring now to the alternative embodiment of the matching gameillustrated in FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C, the gaming device 10 provides ascreen or display 306. In this embodiment, the display provides multipleor two bases 308 and 309 that each have two characteristics, the matchdisplay 310 and a plurality of selections 312, 314, 316, 318, 320 and321. It should be appreciated that while two bases and selection areillustrated, any number of bases are contemplated. It should also beappreciated that one of the bases could include one, two or morecharacteristics.

The gaming device 10 selects one combination of characteristics for eachbase. In this example, base 308 includes the number 8 as C1 and D as C2while base 309 includes number 9 as C1 and B as C2. In this embodiment,the object of the multi-characteristic matching game is to match onecharacteristic C1 or C2 of one selection to one characteristic C1 or C2of either base, or both. It should be appreciated that the player mayreceive additional credits or points, or a multiplier if the player isable to match a characteristic of a selection to a characteristic ofboth bases.

Providing two bases enhances the player's chances of making a matchassuming the same number of 36 combinations. During the first play ofthe game, the player is able to match C1 of selection 312 to C1 of base308 as illustrated in FIG. 7A. However, during the next play, the playeris not able to match any of the characteristics of base 308. However,the player is able to match C2 of selection 318 to C2 of base 309 asillustrated in FIG. 7B. The matching game continues until the player isunable to match any of the characteristics as illustrated in FIG. 7C. Itshould be appreciated that the award could be modified because two basesare used. That is, the gaming device 10 may only provide an award forthe base having the most matches or based on the last base matched.Furthermore, the gaming device 10 could reduce the award by the numberof selections that remain unmatched. The other alternative awardembodiment, may also be employed with this multiple base embodiment.

Referring now to the embodiment of the multi-characteristic matchinggame illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the gaming device 10 provides ascreen or display 406. The display provides at least one base 408, awarddisplay 410 including value display 410A and match display 410B, and aplurality of selections 412, 414, 416, 418, 420 and 421 similar to thatdiscussed above in FIGS. 6A through 6F. It should be appreciated thathere the game does not award predetermined values. Rather, the gameprovides an award equal to the value of each selection. For example, inFIG. 8A the player selects selection 412. The gaming device awards theplayer a value of 8 equal to C1 of selection 418 which is illustrated inthe value display 410A. The player then selects section 418 of FIG. 8B.The gaming device awards the player a value of 7 which is added to thevalue display 410A as illustrated in FIG. 8B.

Referring now to the alternative embodiment of the multi-characteristicmatching game illustrated in FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C, the gaming device 10provides a display 506. In the illustrated embodiment, the displayprovides at least one base 508, a match display 510 and a plurality ofselections 512, 514, 516, 518 and 520.

During the first play of the bonus game illustrated in FIG. 9A, the basedisplays C1=8 and C2=D. The player looks for a match. In thisillustrated embodiment, selection 512 has a characteristic C1=8 thatmatches C1 of the base. The player picks selection 512. The gamingdevice 10 highlights selection 512. The gaming device 10 also recordsthis match in the award display, incrementing the number of matches byone, so that the award display reads “01.”

The gaming device 10 provides a new or subsequent base as illustrated inFIG. 9B. In this embodiment, the gaming device 10 does not generate anew selection 512. Rather, the game may mask or remove each selectiononce it is selected, as illustrated in FIGS. 9B and 9C. If the gamemasks the selection, the player does not know whether a match will occurif the player chooses that selection (i.e., because it is masked.) Ifthe game removes the selection, this reduces player's chance of making amatch during each subsequent play of the game.

Referring now to FIG. 10, table 600 illustrates three sets ofcharacteristics similar to the two characteristics provided by table 100of FIG. 3. The characteristic sets include: (a) the number setconsisting of numbers 1 through 9 (Characteristic 1 generally designated602); (b) the letter set consisting of letters A through D(Characteristic 2 generally designated 604); and (c) the symbol setconsisting of symbols @, #, $, %, + and ? (Characteristic 3 generallydesignated 605). In this embodiment, the gaming device can form 216possible combinations of the Characteristics 1, 2 and 3.

A game using three characteristics is generally illustrated in FIG. 11.The gaming device 10 provides at least one value from each of thecharacteristic sets to the base and to each of the selections asdiscussed previously. The gaming device 10 provides a display 606. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the display provides base 608, match display610 and a plurality of selections 612, 614, 616, 618, 620 and 621, eachof which have three characteristics.

During the first play of the bonus game illustrated in FIG. 11, the basedisplays C1=8, C2=D and C3=@. The player looks for a selectiondisplaying a matching characteristic C1, C2 or C3. In this illustratedembodiment, selection 614 has a characteristic C3=@ that matches C3 ofthe base. The player selects selection 614. The matching game continues,providing new bases and selections until the matching game ends or isterminated.

Both the base and the selections may have three or more characteristics.However, in a further alternative embodiment, the base may at any onetime, have or display one or two out of the three possiblecharacteristics of the base game. The controller can choose whichcharacteristics to display for the base. In this embodiment, theselections may display all three possible characteristics. After aselection is matched to a base, a characteristic can be removed from theselection when it replaces the base.

Conversely, in another embodiment of the present invention, the base candisplay all three characteristics while the selections display only twoout of the possible three characteristics of the selections. After aselection is matched to the base, a characteristic can be added to thatselection for subsequent matches.

Alternative embodiments can include four or more sets ofcharacteristics. As in the embodiments mentioned above, the controllercan choose the number of characteristics to display for the base andselections. In addition, the controller can choose which sets ofcharacteristics to display.

Referring now to FIG. 12, an alternative embodiment of themulti-characteristic game of the present invention includes a display706 having a base 708, a match meter 710 and a plurality of selections712, 714, 716, 718, 720 and 721. In this embodiment, all of theselections are masked so that the player does not know if the selectionthe player picks will have a characteristic matching the base. In thisembodiment, any number of selections may be masked or revealed to theplayer as desired by the implementor of the game. In this embodiment,preferably, a miss counter 711 is employed to allow the player a certainnumber of misses or selections which do not match the base. The playerselects the selections and obtains a match if one of the characteristicsof the player's selection matches one of the characteristics of thebase. If one of the characteristics of the picked selection does notmatch any characteristic of the base, then a miss is added to the misscounter 711. The game includes a pre-determined miss limit. The gameends if the number of misses the player obtains equals or exceeds themiss limit. The player's award, if any, is based on the number ofmatches obtained before reaching the miss limit.

In an alternative embodiment of the method of FIG. 12, the selectionsrevealed that do not match the characteristics of the base and add amiss to the miss counter remain revealed and are eligible to be usedlater in the game. Once the base changes, it is possible that the newcharacteristics of the new base match one or more of the characteristicsof the miss selection. The miss selection may be used to match the baseand add to the match meter.

Referring now to FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C, further alternative embodimentsof the present invention provide display devices 806, 906 and 1006,respectively. Each display device has a base 808, 908 and 1008,respectively. Each display also includes a plurality of sets ofselections 812, 814, 816, 818 and 820, 912, 914, 916, 918 and 920, and1012, 1014, 1016, 1018 and 1020.

In the display 806, the characteristics of only one selection in eachset of selection is revealed to the player. The other selections in eachset are masked from the player. When one of the selections in one of thesets has been selected, the next selection in that set is revealed tothe player. Alternatively, the next selection in the set is not revealedto the player.

In the display 906, the characteristics of one selection in each set arerevealed to the player, in addition to the characteristics of each ofthe other selections in each set. This provides the player withadditional information for each new set which the player can use to makethe selections.

In the display 1006, each selection in each set is fully revealed to theplayer which allows the player to select a strategy for maximizing thenumber of matches. It should be appreciated that the number ofselections in any set may vary. It should also be appreciated thatcombinations of the revealed or masked selections in display 806, 906and 1006 may be mixed. In particular, certain selections in a set may berevealed, masked, partially revealed or fully revealed.

In further alternative embodiments of the present invention, the amountwagered affects the play of the gaming device. In one embodiment, thecredits wagered determine the number of selections provided to a player.For example, a user wagering one credit may receive one selection at thestart of play, and a user wagering three coins may receive threeselections at the start of play. It should be appreciated that thenumber of selections provided at the start of game play is notnecessarily based on a one-to-one ratio. In another embodiment, thenumber of bases varies based on the player's wager. It should beappreciated that there is preferably a maximum wager for each game andan associated maximum number of selections or bases.

In another embodiment, the number of selections provided to a user maychange during the course of game play based on the credits wageredduring the course of play. For example, a user may begin a game withthree selections. Upon choosing one or more selections, the user may beleft with fewer selections than which the user started with. A user maythen bet additional credits during the course of play to receiveadditional selections. In the example given, if the user has only twoselections remaining to choose from, the user may bet an additionalcredit and receive one or more additional selections or bases.

In a further embodiment of the present invention where the selectionsare masked or partially masked, the amount wagered at the beginning ofgame determines the player's number of misses or miss limit. Forexample, wagering one credit may allow the user only one miss. However,if a user wagers three credits, the user may be entitled to threemisses. Again, the number of misses allowed to a user based on theamount wagered may not necessarily be a one-to-one ratio. Similarly, theamount of misses may change based on the number of credits wageredduring game play. For example, a user who has three misses and isallowed five misses may bet an additional credit and have the miss limitextended to seven misses.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the number of creditswagered may determine the number of possible characteristics allocatedto a base or a selection. For example, a user wagering one credit mayreceive a base and selections having only two characteristics. However,a user wagering five credits may receive a base and selections havingfive characteristics. Again, in an alternative embodiment, the number ofcharacteristics could be changed during game play. For example, wageringan additional credit during game play may provide a user with anadditional characteristic.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, the amountwagered may determine the probability of matching a base and selections.For example, wagering only one credit may provide a user with less of aprobability of matching selections to a base than wagering threecredits. The controller can decide how to increase the probability,i.e., increasing the number of selections, characteristics, etc. Theprobability of matching a selection to abuse can also be changed duringgame play or desired by the implementor of the game.

In another alternative embodiment, an algorithm could be implementedwherein the determination of the characteristic of the selections arebased upon the characteristics of the base and/or previously revealedselections. For example, a set may determine the second characteristicfor the base with equal probability. That is, twenty-five percentprobability for each of the characteristics A, B, C and D. Ifcharacteristic A is assigned, the game may make it more likely thatcharacteristic A is assigned to the selections. One example would be aforty percent probability of selecting A and a twenty percentprobability of selecting each of the remaining characteristics B, C andD. The game could alternatively perform the opposite and make it lesslikely to assign the matching characteristic to the selections.

Referring now to FIG. 14, a further alternative embodiment of thepresent invention is illustrated where the gaming device includes amulti-characteristic matching game having a plurality of events orrounds. The multi-characteristic matching game 1100 displays a base 1102and a plurality of selections 1104, 1106, 1108, 1110, 1112, and 1114. Inone embodiment, the gaming device determines and displays the base tothe player at the beginning of a game. In another embodiment, the gamingdevice displays a plurality of selections and enables a player to pickthe base from one of the selections. The gaming device displays thepicked selection as the base at the beginning of the game. The base andeach of these selections includes at least two characteristicsdetermined from a set of characteristics as described above. In thisembodiment, the first characteristic (C1) of the base and the selectionsinclude numbers, and the second characteristic (C2), includes letters.It should be appreciated that two or more characteristics may beemployed in each of these selections as desired by the game implementor.It should also be appreciated that any number of selections may beemployed in the present invention as desired by the game implementor. Inthis embodiment, a round display 1128 indicates the current round in agame. Additionally, a round award display such as displays 1116, 1120and 1124, and a modifier display such as displays 1118, 1120 and 1126,indicate the awards and modifiers, if any, in each of the rounds. Theaward display in each round indicates the award obtained by the playerin each of those rounds. The modifier display indicates the modifierassociated with each of the rounds.

In one embodiment, the matching game includes multiple rounds where aplayer picks one or more selections having a least one matchingcharacteristic with the characteristics of the base in each round. Whenthe player cannot match at least one of the characteristics of any ofthe selections in a round with one of the characteristics of the base,the round ends and the gaming device provides the player with theaccumulated award obtained by the player in that round. When there areno rounds remaining in the game, the game ends. The gaming device sumsthe accumulated awards obtained by the player in each of the rounds todetermine a total award for the game. The total award is indicated in atotal award display 1130. At the end of the game, the gaming deviceprovides the total award to the player.

In another embodiment, a modifier such as a multiplier, is associatedwith each of the rounds. The multiplier may be predetermined, randomlydetermined, determined by a wager made by the player or determined usingany suitable determination method. In one aspect of this embodiment, atleast two of the multipliers associated with the rounds are different.In another aspect of this embodiment, a plurality of the multipliersassociated with the rounds are different. In a further aspect of thisembodiment, all of the multipliers associated with the rounds aredifferent. In this embodiment, at the end of a game, the total awardequals the sum of the awards in each of the rounds, multiplied by themultipliers associated with each of the rounds.

In one embodiment, the multipliers associated with each of the roundsincreases in each successive round. For example, in a game with threerounds, the multiplier in round one may be 1×, the multiplier in roundtwo may be 2× and the multiplier in round three is 3×.

In another embodiment, one or more modifiers are associated with theselections. The modifiers associated with each of the selections may beviewable by a player or may be masked or hidden from the player. In agame, the gaming device enables a player to pick the selections and addsthe modifier associated with the picked selections to the modifierdisplay in each of the rounds when the player picks a selectionincluding at least one characteristic that matches one of thecharacteristics of the base.

In a further embodiment, the multipliers associated with each of therounds are the same and the awards associated with the matchingselections picked by the player increase in each successive round.Therefore, the awards associated with matching selections picked by theplayer are larger in later rounds than in the earlier rounds. Forexample, in a game having three rounds, the gaming device provides anaward of five for each matched selection round one, an award of ten foreach matched selection in round two and an award of fifteen for eachmatched selection in round three.

In another embodiment, the gaming device provides a bonus award to theplayer when the player successfully matches at least one characteristicon each of the selections with one of the characteristics on the base ina round. The bonus award may be values, credits, prizes, multipliers orany suitable award. The bonus award may be provided in only one round inthe game, in a plurality of rounds in the game or in all of the roundsin a game. Alternatively, the bonus award may be provided to a playerwhen the player matches a designated number of selections in one or morerounds in a game. The designated number of selections may bepredetermined, randomly determined, determined based on a wager made bya player in the game or according to any suitable method.

In a further embodiment, the base and the selections in a game areplaying cards. The base card and the card selections include at leasttwo characteristics such as the playing card suits (i.e., clubs,diamonds, hearts and spades), numbers, colors, or any other suitablecharacteristic on the cards. The player picks selections in each of therounds to match at least one of the characteristics of the cardselections with one of the characteristics on the base card. The playercontinues to pick selections in each of the rounds until there are noselections remaining in the rounds where one of the characteristics onthe card selections matches one of the characteristics on the base card.When there are no rounds remaining in the game, the game ends and theplayer receives the total award in that game.

Referring to FIGS. 15A to 15K, a multi-characteristic matching game ofthe present invention is illustrated where the matching game includesseveral rounds. In this example, the matching game includes three roundswhere the player picks selections to match one of the characteristics C1or C2 with the characteristics of base C1 and C2. When the player picksone of the selections 1204, 1206, 1208, 1210, 1212 or 1214 including atleast one matching characteristic with one of the characteristics on thebase, the picked selection replaces the base and becomes the new basefor the next pick in that round. The player continues to pick selectionsin the round until the player cannot match at least one characteristicof any of unpicked selections with one of the characteristics of thebase. When the player cannot match at least one characteristic of theselections with one characteristic of the base, the round ends and thegaming device initiates the next round in the game. When there are norounds remaining in the game, the gaming device determines the totalaward for the game, which is the sum of the awards accumulated orobtained in each of the rounds. The total award is indicated in thetotal award display 1230. Therefore, having multiple rounds in a gamecompensates a player for situations where the player matches none oronly a few of the selections with the base.

Referring to FIG. 15A, the player picks selection 1206 which includesthe first characteristics. The second characteristic, B, matches thesecond characteristic of the base 1202, which is B. Therefore the playerpicked a selection including at least one matching characteristic withthe base. In round one, the gaming device provides an award of five foreach matching selection picked by the player in this round as indicatedin the round one award display 1216. In this example, the multiplierassociated with round one has a value of one or 1× as indicated in theround one multiplier display 1218. Thus, any awards accumulated by theplayer in round one are multiplied by 1×. Because the player picked aselection in round one which includes at least one characteristic thatmatches one of the characteristics of the base, the player continues topick more selections in the round. Also, the picked selection 1206 isremoved from the selections and replaces the base 1202.

In one embodiment, as described above, the gaming device provides anaward to the player for each picked selection that includes at least onecharacteristic that matches one of the characteristics of the base. Theaward may be values, credits, multipliers or any suitable award. Inaddition, the award may be predetermined, randomly determined or basedon a wager made by a player in a game.

In another embodiment, the award equals or is based on one or more ofthe characteristics of a picked selection in a game. For example, in aparticular game, the gaming device displays a plurality of selections,each including two characteristics—a letter and a number. In this game,each number represents a value and each letter is associated with avalue. When the player picks a selection where the number on the pickedselection matches a number on the base, the gaming device provides thevalue of the number to the player as the award for successfully pickinga matching selection in the game. When the player picks a selectionwhere the letter on the picked selection matches a letter on the base,the gaming device provides the value associated with the letter to theplayer as the award for successfully picking a matching selection in thegame. When both characteristics of a picked selection match thecharacteristics of a base, the gaming device provides a combination ofthe awards to the player.

Referring to FIG. 15B, the player picks another selection, selection1210, in round one. The picked selection 1210 includes a firstcharacteristic C1=six and a second characteristic C2=C. The firstcharacteristic C1=six of the picked selection matches the firstcharacteristic of the base, which is six. Therefore, the player obtainedanother matching selection in round one. An award of five associatedwith the matching selection is added to the player's award in round oneas indicated by the round one award display 1216. The player now has anaccumulated award of ten in round one. The player may now pick anotherselection in round one. Also, the picked selection 1210 is removed fromthe selections and replaces the base 1206.

Referring to FIG. 15C, the player cannot pick any of the remainingselections in round one because none of the selections include at leastone characteristic that matches one of the characteristics of the base1210. Thus, round one ends because the player cannot make any furtherselections in this round. The player obtained an accumulated award often in round one as indicated in the round one award display 1216. Theaward of ten, is multiplied by the multiplier associated with round one,1×, as indicated in the round one multiplier display 1218. Therefore,the total award obtained by the player in round one is ten, which is theaward of ten multiplied by the multiplier 1×.

Referring to FIG. 15D, the gaming device initiates the next round in thegame which is round two as indicated by the round display 1228. A newbase 1202 is displayed in round two. The base 1202 includes a firstcharacteristic, C1=5, and a second characteristic C2=D. Therefore, theplayer must pick one of the selections that includes at least onecharacteristic that matches with one of the characteristics of the base1202. In round two, the player picks selection 1204 which includes afirst characteristic, C1=5, and a second characteristic, C2=A. The firstcharacteristic of the picked selection matches the first characteristicof the base 1202. Thus, the player picked a matching selection in roundtwo. Each matching selection in round two provides an award of ten asindicated in the round two award display 1220. In addition, a multiplierof two or 2× is associated with round two as indicated in the round twomultiplier display 1222. The picked selection 1204 is removed from theselections and replaces the base 1202.

Referring to FIG. 15E, the player cannot pick another selection in roundtwo because none of the selections include at least one matchingcharacteristic with one of the characteristics of the base 1204.Therefore, the gaming device provides the player with an award of ten inthe second round as indicated by the round two award display 1220. Theaward of ten is multiplied by the multiplier two or 2× as indicated inthe round two multiplier display 1222 to provide a total award of twentyfor round two. The award of twenty in round two is added to the award often in round one to give the player a total award of thirty for the gameas indicated in the total award display 1230. The gaming device nowinitiates the next round in the game, which is round three. Round threeis the last or final round in the game.

Referring to FIG. 15F, at the beginning of round three, the gamingdevice displays a new base 1202 and a new set of selections. The baseincludes a first characteristic, C1=3 and a second characteristic, C2=C.The player picks a first selection in round three which is selection1214. The second characteristic, C2=C of selection 1214 matches thesecond characteristic of the base. Therefore, the gaming device providesan award of fifteen to the player for obtaining a matching selection inthe round as indicated by the round three award display 1224. In roundthree, the awards are multiplied by three or 3× as indicated by theround three multiplier display 1226. The player may now pick anotherselection in round three. The picked selection 1214 is removed from theselections in round three and replaces the base 1202.

Referring to FIG. 15G, the player picks another selection 1212 in roundthree. The selection 1212 includes a first characteristic, C1=7, and asecond characteristic C2=D. The first characteristic C1=7 matches thefirst characteristic of the base 1202 which is C1=7. Therefore, theplayer obtains another award of fifteen for obtaining a matchingselection in round three. The gaming device adds the award of fifteen tothe round three award display 1224 to give the player an accumulatedaward of thirty in round three. The player may now pick anotherselection in round three. The picked selection 1212 is removed from theselections and replaces the base 1214.

Referring to FIG. 15H, the previous picked selection 1212 is now thebase 1212 in round three. Therefore, the player must pick one of theremaining or unpicked selections 1204, 1206, 1208 or 1210, and match oneof characteristics on those selections with one of the characteristicson the base 1212. The previously picked selections may no longer bepicked in round three as indicated by the shaded boxes. In FIG. 15H, theplayer picks selection 1208 which includes a first characteristic, C1=2,and a second characteristic, C2=D. The second characteristic D matchesthe second characteristic of the base 1202, which is also D. Thus, theplayer obtains or picks another matching selection in round three. Thegaming device adds the award of fifteen to the round three award display1224 for picking the matching selection. The total accumulated award inround three is now forty-five as indicated by the round three awarddisplay 1224. The player now only has to the three remaining or unpickedselections in round three to obtain a completion or bonus award in roundthree. The picked selection 1208 is removed from the selections andreplaces the base 1212.

Referring to FIG. 15I, the player picks another selection, selection1204, which includes a first characteristic, C1=2, and a secondcharacteristic, C2=WILD, matches with any of the second characteristicsin the game. Therefore, either the first characteristic, C1=2, or thesecond characteristic, which is the wild symbol, matches the first andsecond characteristics of the base 1202. The gaming device provides anaward of fifteen to the player for picking another matching selection inround three.

In one embodiment, the gaming device provides an award of fifteen to theplayer for matching at least one of the characteristics of the pickedselection with one of the characteristics of the base. In anotherembodiment, the gaming device provides the player with an award for eachof the characteristics of the picked selection that matchcharacteristics on the base. For example, when two of thecharacteristics on the picked selection match two of the characteristicson the base as described above, the gaming device provides the playerwith two awards of fifteen or a total award of thirty. In a furtherembodiment, the gaming device provides the player with at least onemultiplier when the player picks a selection including multiplecharacteristics that match multiple characteristics on the base. Themultiplier may be predetermined, randomly determined, based on a wagermade by the player or determined according to any suitable method. Inone embodiment, the multiplier is based on the number of matchingcharacteristics between the picked selection and the base. For example,one matching characteristic provides a multiplier of 1× and two matchingcharacteristics provides a multiplier of 2×.

In FIG. 15I, the award of fifteen is added to the previous award offorty-five to give the player a total accumulated award of sixty inround three as indicated by the round three award display 1224. Theplayer now only has to match the remaining two selections 1206 and 1210to obtain a completion bonus award or bonus award in round three. Thepicked selection 1204 is removed from the selections and replaces thebase 1208.

Referring to FIG. 15J, the player picks another selection 1206 in roundthree. Selection 1206 includes a first characteristic, C1=5, and asecond characteristic, C2=C. The base 1204 includes a firstcharacteristic, C1=2 and a second characteristic, C2=WILD. Thus, thewild characteristic matches with any of the second characteristics inround three. Therefore, the second characteristic, C2=C associated withselection 1206 matches the second characteristic or wild characteristicof the base 1204. The gaming device provides an award of fifteen to theplayer for picking a selection that includes at least one characteristicthat matches one of the characteristics of the base 1204. The totalaccumulated award in round three is now seventy-five as indicated in theround three award display 1224. The player has only one selectionremaining in round three. The picked selection 1206 is removed from theselections and replaces the base 1204 in round three.

Referring to FIG. 15K, the player picks the final selection 1210 inround three, which includes a first characteristic, C1=5, and a secondcharacteristic C2=A. The first characteristic, C1=5, in selection 1210matches the first characteristic of the base 1202. Therefore, the playermatched all of the selections in round three. The gaming device providesan award of fifteen for picking a matching selection and a completionbonus award or bonus award to the player for successfully matching allof the selections in round three. Thus, the gaming device provides anaward of fifteen for successfully matching the individual selection 1210and a bonus award of one hundred. The award of fifteen is added to theplayers total award which is now ninety as indicated in the round threeaward display 1224. The total award of ninety is multiplied by themultiplier for round three, which is three or 3×, and provides an awardfor round three of two hundred seventy. The completion bonus award ofone hundred is indicated or displayed to the player such as in a bonusdisplay 1229 and added to the total accumulated award for the round oftwo hundred seventy. It should be appreciated that the bonus award maybe indicated or displayed to the player using any suitable display orindicator. It should also be appreciated that the bonus award may not bedisplayed to the player, but only added to the total award in the totalaward display.

The total award for the round is now three hundred seventy. The award ofthree hundred seventy is added to the total awards from the previous tworounds of ten and twenty, respectively, to provide a total award for allthree rounds of four hundred as indicated in the total award display1230.

In the above example, the multipliers (i.e., modified) in each round wasdifferent. It should be appreciated that the multipliers may be thesame, as least two of the multipliers may be different, a plurality ofthe multipliers may be different or all of the multipliers may bedifferent in two or more rounds of a game. In another embodiment, themultipliers change after each pick in a round. In a further embodiment,the multipliers change after a plurality of picks of the selections in around. Also, the multipliers may increase, decrease, or remain unchangedin one or more rounds of the game.

As described in the above embodiments of the present invention, aplayer's goal is to continue to pick selections that include at leastone characteristic that matches one of the characteristics of the base.Because the picked selection replaces the base when the picked selectionincludes at least one characteristic that matches one of thecharacteristics of the base, the player must determine how many matchingselections the player can make by picking each of the initiallydisplayed selections. The optimal or best selection in each picktherefore, is the selection that enables the player to match the mostselections in the game. As a result, although two selections may eachinclude at least one characteristic that matches one of thecharacteristics of the base, one selection is generally optimal overanother selection in a game. The reason for picking one selectioninstead of another selection in a game is one selection may enable aplayer to pick a series of five selections by matching at least onecharacteristic of those selections with one characteristic on the base.The other selection may only enable the player to pick and match aseries of three selections. Therefore, one selection is typically thebest pick or best selection in a particular pick, because that selectionenables the player to pick more subsequent selections by matching onecharacteristic of the selection with one characteristic of the base,than the other unpicked or available selections in that pick in thegame. Thus, the player attempts to pick the selections that will enablethe player to match the most selections in the game to maximize theplayer's award in the game.

Referring to FIG. 16, another alternative of the embodiment of thepresent invention is illustrated where the multi-characteristic matchinggame 1200 displays a base 1202 and a plurality of selections 1204, 1206,1208, 1210, 1212 and 1214 to a player in a game. In this embodiment, themodifier associated with each of the rounds is the same (i.e., two or amultiplier of 2×). However, the awards in this embodiment change in oneor more of the rounds in the game. For example in FIG. 16, the gamingdevice provides an award of five for each matching selection in roundone. The gaming device provides and award of fifteen for each matchingselection in round two. The gaming device provides an award of thirtyfor each matching selection in round three. Furthermore, in the presentinvention, the awards for each of the matching selections in the roundsmay increase, decrease or remain unchanged in one or more of the roundsof a game. Additionally, both of the awards and the multipliers (i.e.,modifiers) may increase, decrease or remain unchanged in one or more ofthe rounds of a game.

In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, amulti-characteristic matching game includes an indicator or prompt,which directs the player to one of the selections and preferably thebest pick, best selection or optimal selection in a round or in a game.Referring to FIG. 17, one embodiment of the multi-characteristicmatching game 1300 is illustrated the gaming device displays a pluralityof selections 1304, 1306, 1308 and 1310, which each include a first andsecond characteristic C1 and C2, wherein one of the selections functionsas a base 1302 having a first characteristic, C1=8, and a secondcharacteristic, C2=A. An award display or value display 1312 indicatesthe award or value obtained by the player in a round or in a game. Anindicator 1314 indicates or directs the player to the best pick oroptimal selection in a round or in a game. In this embodiment, theindicator is a statement displayed adjacent to or near one of theselections where the statement is the phrase “best pick.” It should beappreciated that any phrase, letter, characteristic, or any otherelement or symbol or function that will direct the player to the bestpick or selection may be employed in the game.

In one embodiment, the gaming device displays a plurality of selectionsto the player and enables the player to pick one of the selections to bethe base at the beginning of a game. In this embodiment, the gamingdevice indicates which selection is the best pick or best selection tobe the base in the game.

Additionally, the indicator may be an illumination device associatedwith each of the selections which highlights or illustrates the bestselection. In one embodiment, the gaming device indicates a best pick orbest selection to the player by displaying the indicator prompt “bestpick” next to the best selection or best pick determined by the gamingdevice. In this embodiment, the gaming device does not enable the playerto pick any selection but the selection designated as the best oroptimal selection in the round or game. Therefore, the player must pickthe best selection or selections in the game and therefore, obtains thebest possible award in the round or game.

Referring to FIGS. 18A to 18C, an example of the embodiment of FIG. 17is illustrated where the gaming device displays a base 1302 including afirst characteristic, C1=6, and a second characteristic, C2=B. Thegaming device also displays a plurality of selections 1304, 1306, 1308and 1310 to the player. The initial value or award in the game is zeroas indicated by the value display 1312. The gaming device indicates thebest pick or optimal selection from amongst the plurality of selectionsin the game. The best selections are indicated by the prompt orindicator 1314, which is the phrase “best pick.” The gaming devicedetermines that selection 1306 is the optimal selection in the gamebecause selection 1306 enables the player to pick the most matchingselections in the game. Selection 1306 includes the characteristics(C1=6, C2=D) where the first characteristic C1, matches the firstcharacteristic of the base. If the player picks selection 1306,selection 1306 is removed from the selections and replaces the base 1302to become the new base 1306. In this situation, of the remainingselections in the game, selection 1304 (C1=7, C2=D) and selection 1308(C1=6, C2=C) include at least one matching characteristic with thecharacteristics of the base. Selection 1304 is the best selection ofthese two remaining selections because the second characteristic ofselection 1304 matches the second characteristic of the base 1306. Thefirst characteristic of selection 1304 then matches the firstcharacteristic of selection 1310, which is functioning as the base.Thus, the player can match three of the four selections by pickingselection 1306, which is indicated as the best selection in the game.Conversely, if the player picks selection 1308, the player will only beable to match one more selection, which is selection 1306. Therefore,selection 1306 is the best or optimal selection of the initialselections in the game because the player can make the most matches inthe game and thereby obtain the largest possible award in the game bypicking that selection.

It should be appreciated that the best selection or optimal selection ina game or games is determined based on the type of game being played andthe characteristics of the base and the selections in the game. Forexample, if the object of a particular game is to pick all of theselections including the first characteristic (C1=2) in the game, thenthe selection or selections that are indicated as the best picks or bestselections in the game are the selections including a firstcharacteristic of C1=2. As another example, an object of a game may beto only pick selections where the second characteristic of the selectionmatches the second characteristic of the base, regardless of the firstcharacteristics of the base or selections. In this example, the bestselections will be the selections including a second characteristicwhich matches the second characteristic of the base. Therefore, itshould be appreciated that a selection indicated as the best or optimalselection in one game, may not be the optimal selection in another game.

Referring to FIG. 18A, the player picks a different selection 1310,which includes a first characteristic, C1=7, and a secondcharacteristic, C2=A. Neither of the characteristics of selection 1310match one of the characteristics of the selection functioning as thebase 1302. Thus, the player did not pick the optimal selection in thegame as indicated by the indicator 1314 a. As a result, the gamingdevice continues to indicate and direct the player to pick selection1306, which the gaming device determined to be the best pick or optimalselection in the game.

Referring to FIG. 18B, the player picks another selection, selection1308, in the game. Selection 1308 is not the best selection or best pickin the game as described above. Therefore, the gaming device continuesto direct the player to pick the best pick or optimal selection in thegame, which is selection 1306, as indicated by the prompt or indicator1314 a.

Referring to FIG. 18C, the player picks selection 1306, which the gamingdevice determined and designated as the best selection in the game asindicated by the indicator 1314 a. The picked selection 1306 replacesthe base 1302 and the gaming device enables the player to pick one ofthe remaining selections in the game to match one of the characteristicswith characteristics of the new base 1306. The gaming device nowdetermines and indicates the best or optimal selection of the remainingor unpicked selections in the game. The gaming device continues toindicate one or more selections as the optimal selection until there areno selections remaining or until there are no possible matches remainingin the game.

In the embodiment illustrated in the above example, the device continuesto indicate the optimal selection and does not enable the player to pickany other selection except for the determined optimal selection in thegame. In another embodiment, the gaming device indicates the best pickor best selection after each pick by the player, but enables the playerto pick any of the selections in the game. In a further embodiment, thegaming device determines and indicates the optimal selection of theplurality of selections in the game for a designated number of picks.Therefore, the gaming device directs the player to the optimal selectionin the game by indicating the selection using the indicator or prompt1314. The gaming device continues to direct the player to the best oroptimal selection in the game for the designated number of picks anddoes not enable the player to pick any of the other selections. When theplayer makes or reaches the designated number of picks in the game, thegaming device overrides the restriction of only picking the designatedoptimal selection in the game and enables the player to pick any of theother selections in the game. Once the player picks another selection inthe game, which is not the indicated optimal selection, the gamingdevice determines a new optimal selection in the game based on theremaining unpicked selections.

In one embodiment, the gaming device resets the designated number ofpicks after enabling the player to pick a selection other than theoptimal selection. In another embodiment, the gaming device does notreset the designated number of picks and continues to indicate theoptimal pick or selection in the game until the designated number ofpicks have been achieved. The game then continues but the gaming devicedoes not indicate the optimal pick for the remainder of the game.

For example, the gaming device may direct the player to the best oroptimal selection for two picks in a game. When a player makes two picksof the selections in the game, which are not the designated optimalselection, the gaming device overrides the restriction of only enablingthe player to pick the optimal selection and enables the player to pickthe desired selection by the player. The gaming device then determines anew optimal selection based on the remaining or unpicked selections inthe game. The designated number of picks or the point in the game whenthe gaming device overrides the restriction may be randomly determined,predetermined, based on a wager made by the player or according to anysuitable determination method. In one aspect of this embodiment, thegaming device determines and indicates the optimal selection in the gamein a plurality of picks made by the player. In another aspect of thisembodiment, the gaming device indicates the optimal selection in thegame after a predetermined number of picks made by the player. In afurther embodiment, the gaming device indicates the optimal selection inthe game after a random number of picks by the player. It should beappreciated that the gaming device may indicate the optimal selection inthe game after one or more picks by the player in the game.

Referring to FIG. 19, another embodiment of the present invention isillustrated where the multi-characteristic matching game includes asecond indicator or additional indicator which indicates or furtherdirects the player to the best pick, best selection or optimal selectionin the game. In FIG. 19, the matching game 1300 includes a selectionfunctioning as a base 1302 having a first characteristic, C1=2, and asecond characteristic, C2=D. The first and second characteristics C1 andC2 may be any suitable characteristics as described above. The gamingdevice also displays a plurality of additional selections including afirst and second characteristic, which are numbers and letters,respectively.

In this embodiment, the gaming device indicates or displays an indicator1316, which indicates the best pick or optimal selection in the game.The gaming device also displays or includes a second indicator 1318,which further directs the player to the best pick or optimal selectiondetermined by the gaming device in the game. In the example shown inFIG. 19, the second indicator displays a message such as “not best pick”to the player to indicate to the player that the selection 1304 pickedby the player is not the best pick as determined by the gaming device.It should be appreciated that the second or additional indicator may beany suitable statement or phrase. It should also be appreciated that thesecond indicator may include an illumination device which illuminates orhighlights the selection. The second prompt further directs the playerto the best pick, which is selection 1308 as indicated by the firstindicator 1316. As described above, the gaming device may indicate ordirect the player to the best pick in each pick or in a plurality ofpicks. If the player does not pick the determined best pick or bestselection in a game, the gaming device re-determines or re-designatesthe next best pick or optimal selection in the game based on theplayer's previous selection. The gaming device continues to direct theplayer to the best pick until the game ends.

Referring to FIGS. 20A to 20C, an example of the embodiment of FIG. 19is illustrated where the gaming device displays a matching game 1300including a plurality of selections 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308 and 1310where one of the selections 1302 functions as a base. The base or baseselections includes a first characteristic, C1=4, and a secondcharacteristic, C2=B. The gaming device enables the player to pick oneof the selections including at least one characteristic that matches oneof the characteristics of the selection functioning as the base 1302.The gaming device determines an award or value for each picked selectionthat includes a characteristic that matches one of the characteristicsof the selection functioning as the base 1302 as indicated by the valuedisplay 1312. In this example, the gaming device displays two indicators1316 and 1318 to direct the player to pick the best or optimal selectionin the game.

Referring to FIG. 20A, the gaming device determines that selection 1308is the best or optimal selection of the four selections in the game. Thegaming device makes this determination because the secondcharacteristic, C2=B matches the second characteristic of the selectionfunctioning as the base 1302. None of the other selections in the gameinclude at least one characteristic that matches one of thecharacteristics of the base 1302. Therefore, the gaming device displaysan indicator or prompt 1316 a which states that selection 1308 is thebest pick or optimal selection in the game. The gaming device isdirecting the player to pick 1308 to maximize the players picks in thegame.

Referring to FIG. 20B, the player picks selection 1304. Becauseselection 1304 is not the best or optimal selection in the game asdetermined by the gaming device, the gaming device displays theadditional indicator 1318 a which is the statement “not best pick.”Therefore, the gaming device is directing the player away from pickingany of the selections except the best selection 1308. The additionalindicator 1318 a therefore further directs the player to the optimalselection in the game.

Referring to FIG. 20C, the gaming device continues to indicate or directthe player to pick the best pick or optimal selection in the game bydisplaying the indicator 1316 a, “best pick” to the player. The playerpicks selection 1308 and therefore picks the best pick or selection inthe game. It should be appreciated that the gaming device may direct theplayer to the best selection or optimal selection by employing one ormore prompts as described above in each of the picks, in a plurality ofthe picks, or in any other combination of picks as desired by the gameimplementor.

Referring to FIG. 21, another embodiment of the present invention isillustrated where the multi-characteristic matching game 1300 includes aprompt or indicator 1322, that directs the player to the optimalselection in the game, which is not a selection including a wildcharacteristic. In this embodiment, if one of the selections includes awild characteristic (i.e., WILD), which automatically matches any of thecharacteristics in the game, the gaming device picks the next best ornext optimal selection (not including a WILD characteristic) as the bestpick or optimal selection in the game. The gaming device indicates thebest or optimal pick in the game by displaying a prompt including astatement such as “best pick” to the player associated with the bestselection as described above

In FIG. 21, the second characteristic (C2) of selection 1308 includes awild characteristic. Therefore, the gaming device picks the next bestselection or next optimal selection, not including a wildcharacteristic, which is selection 1310. The second characteristic ofselection 1310 is the letter A which matches the second characteristicof the base 1302. The gaming device indicates selection 1310 as the bestpick by displaying the prompt 1322 to the player. The gaming devicecontinues to indicate the best pick or optimal selection that does notinclude a wild characteristic until only the selections including thewild characteristic are remaining in the game. The gaming device willthen indicate the optimal selection of the remaining or unpickedselections in the game. It should be appreciated that the gaming devicemay indicate or direct the player to the best or optimal selection basedon any characteristic or criteria in the game.

It should be appreciated that the alternative embodiments of themulti-characteristic matching game of the present invention can besimultaneously implemented in a single primary game or bonus round oreach implemented individually in different primary games or bonusrounds. The determination of when to implement such alternativeembodiments could also be randomly determined.

It should further be appreciated that the present invention mayalternatively be implemented as a casino table game. In such embodiment,after the player makes an initial wager, the base and the selection maybe revealed or partially revealed to the player as described above.Additional wagers may also be placed to obtain different or additionalbases and/or selections.

While the present invention is described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments,it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to thedisclosed embodiments, and is intended to cover various modificationsand equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of theclaims. Modifications and variations in the present invention may bemade without departing from the novel aspects of the invention asdefined in the claims, and this application is limited only by the scopeof the claims.

1. A gaming device operable under control of at least one processor,said gaming device comprising: a game controlled by the at least oneprocessor; a plurality of selections in the game, each selectionincluding at least two characteristics; an input device; a displaydevice; and said at least one processor programmed to operate with saidinput device and said display device for a play of the game to: (a)select and display a plurality of the selections, (b) display anindication of one of said plurality of selections functioning as a base,(c) determine at least one optimal selection from the displayedselections for providing a highest obtainable award for said play of thegame based on the characteristics of the selection functioning as thebase and the characteristics of the plurality of other displayedselections, (d) display an indication of the at least one optimalselection, (e) enable a player to input a pick of one of the pluralityof displayed selections, other than the selection functioning as thebase, having at least one characteristic that matches one of thecharacteristics of the selection functioning as the base, (f) repeat (b)to (e) at least once, and (g) provide an award to the player based onthe player picked selections.
 2. The gaming device of claim 1, whereinsaid at least one processor is programmed to cause each selection pickedby the player to sequentially function as the base for the subsequentselection.
 3. The gaming device of claim 2, wherein said at least oneprocessor is programmed to repeat (b) to (e) until all of the otherdisplayed selections are picked or until none of the other displayedselections have at least one characteristic that matches one of thecharacteristics of the selection functioning as the base.
 4. The gamingdevice of claim 1, wherein said at least one processor is programmed torepeat (b) to (e) until all of the other displayed selections are pickedor until none of the other displayed selections have at least onecharacteristic that matches one of the characteristics of the selectionfunctioning as the base.
 5. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein saidaward is based on the number of other displayed selections picked by theplayer that have at least one characteristic that matches one of thecharacteristics of the selection functioning as the base.
 6. The gamingdevice of claim 1, wherein said at least one processor is programmed toreplace at least one displayed selection picked by the player withanother one of the selections.
 7. The gaming device of claim 1, whereinsaid at least one processor is programmed to randomly select thedisplayed selections.
 8. A gaming device operable under control of atleast one processor, said gaming device comprising: a game controlled bythe at least one processor; a plurality of selections in the game, eachselection including at least two characteristics; an input device; adisplay device; and said processor programmed to operate with said inputdevice and said display device for a play of the game to: (a) select anddisplay one of said plurality of selections initially functioning as abase, (b) select and display a plurality of the remaining selections,(c) enable a player to input sequential picks of the plurality ofdisplayed selections until all of the displayed selections are picked oruntil no previously unpicked displayed selection has at least onecharacteristic that matches one of the characteristics of the selectionfunctioning as the base for said pick, wherein (i) each picked displayedselection must have at least one characteristic that matches one of thecharacteristics of the selection functioning as the base for said pick,(ii) each picked selection functions as the base for the subsequentpick, and (iii) an indication of at least one optimal selection, if any,from the plurality of previously unpicked displayed selections isdisplayed, each of said optimal selections based on the characteristicsof the previously unpicked displayed selections and of the selectionfunctioning as the base for said pick, and (d) provide an award to theplayer based on the player picked selections.
 9. The gaming device ofclaim 8, wherein said award is based on the number of other displayedselections picked by the player that have at least one characteristicthat matches one of the characteristics of the selection functioning asthe base.
 10. The gaming device of claim 8, wherein said at least oneprocessor is programmed to replace at least one displayed selectionpicked by the player with another one of the selections.
 11. The gamingdevice of claim 8, wherein said at least one processor is programmed torandomly select the displayed selections.
 12. The gaming device of claim8, wherein said at least one processor is programmed to only enable theplayer to input a pick of one of the optimal selections for each pick ifthere are any optimal selections for said pick.
 13. The gaming device ofclaim 8, wherein said at least one processor is programmed to onlyenable the player to input a pick of one of the optimal selections foreach pick if there are any optimal selections for said pick after adesignated number of picks of non-optimal selections.
 14. A method ofoperating a play of a game of a gaming device, said method comprising:(a) selecting and displaying a plurality of selections, each selectionincluding at least two characteristics; (b) displaying an indication ofone of said plurality of selections functioning as a base; (c)determining at least one optimal selection from the displayed selectionsfor providing a highest obtainable award for said play of the game basedon the characteristics of the selection functioning as the base and thecharacteristics of the plurality of other displayed selections; (d)displaying an indication of the at least one optimal selection; (e)enabling a player to input a pick of one of the plurality of displayedselections, other than the selection functioning as the base, having atleast one characteristic that matches one of the characteristics of theselection functioning as the base; (f) repeating (b) to (e) at leastonce; and (g) providing an award to the player based on the playerpicked selections.
 15. The method of claim 14, which includes causingeach selection picked by the player to sequentially function as the basefor the subsequent selection.
 16. The method of claim 15, which includesrepeating (b) to (e) until all of the other displayed selections arepicked or until none of the other displayed selections have at least onecharacteristic that matches one of the characteristics of the selectionfunctioning as the base.
 17. The method of claim 14, which includesrepeating (b) to (e) until all of the other displayed selections arepicked or until none of the other displayed selections have at least onecharacteristic that matches one of the characteristics of the selectionfunctioning as the base.
 18. The method of claim 14, which includesbasing said award on the number of other displayed selections picked bythe player that have at least one characteristic that matches one of thecharacteristics of the selection functioning as the base.
 19. The methodof claim 14, which includes replacing at least one displayed selectionpicked by the player with another selection.
 20. The method of claim 14,which includes randomly selecting the displayed selections.
 21. Themethod of claim 14, which is provided through a data network.
 22. Themethod of claim 21, wherein the data network is an internet.
 23. Amethod of operating a play of a game of a gaming device, said methodcomprising: (a) selecting and displaying one of a plurality ofselections, each selection having at least two characteristics, saidselected and displayed selection initially functioning as a base, (b)selecting and displaying a plurality of the remaining selections, (c)enabling a player to input sequential picks of the plurality ofdisplayed selections until all of the displayed selections are picked oruntil no previously unpicked displayed selection has at least onecharacteristic that matches one of the characteristics of the selectionfunctioning as the base for said pick, wherein (i) each picked displayedselection must have at least one characteristic that matches one of thecharacteristics of the selection functioning as the base for said pick,(ii) each picked selection functions as the base for the subsequentplayer pick, and (iii) an indication of at least one optimal selection,if any, from the plurality of previously unpicked displayed selectionsis displayed, each of said optimal selections based on thecharacteristics of the previously unpicked displayed selections and ofthe selection functioning as the base for said pick, and (d) providingan award to the player based on the player picked selections.
 24. Themethod of claim 23, which includes basing the award on the number ofother displayed selections picked by the player that have at least onecharacteristic that matches one of the characteristics of the selectionfunctioning as the base.
 25. The method of claim 23, which includesreplacing at least one displayed selection picked by the player withanother one of the selections.
 26. The method of claim 23, whichincludes randomly selecting the displayed selections.
 27. The method ofclaim 23, which includes only enabling the player to input a pick of oneof the optimal selections for each pick if there are any optimalselections for said pick.
 28. The method of claim 23, which includesonly enabling the player to input a pick of one of the optimalselections for each pick if there are any optimal selections for saidpick after a designated number of picks of non-optimal selections. 29.The method of claim 23, which is provided through a data network. 30.The method of claim 29, wherein the data network is an internet.
 31. Amemory device which includes a plurality of instructions, that whenexecuted by at least one processor, cause a gaming device to provide aplay of a game, said game comprising: (a) a selection and display of aplurality of selections, each selection including at least twocharacteristics; (b) a display of an indication of one of said pluralityof selections functioning as a base; (c) a determination of at least oneoptimal selection from the displayed selections for providing a highestobtainable award for said play of the game based on the characteristicsof the selection functioning as the base and the characteristics of theplurality of other displayed selections; (d) a display of an indicationof the at least one optimal selection; (e) an input by a player of apick of one of the plurality of displayed selections, other than theselection functioning as the base, having at least one characteristicthat matches one of the characteristics of the selection functioning asthe base; (f) a repeat of (b) to (e) at least once; and (g) an award tobe provided to the player based on the player picked selections.
 32. Thememory device of claim 31, wherein the plurality of instructions includeat least one instruction which, when executed by the at least oneprocessor, causes the selections picked by the player to sequentiallyfunction as the bases for the subsequent selections.
 33. The memorydevice of claim 32, wherein the plurality of instructions include atleast one instruction which, when executed by the at least oneprocessor, causes (b) to (e) to repeat until all of the other displayedselections are picked or until none of the other displayed selectionshave at least one characteristic that matches one of the characteristicsof the selection functioning as the base.
 34. The memory device of claim31, wherein the plurality of instructions include at least oneinstruction which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes(b) to (e) to repeat until all of the other displayed selections arepicked or until none of the other displayed selections have at least onecharacteristic that matches one of the characteristics of the selectionfunctioning as the base.
 35. The memory device of claim 31, wherein theplurality of instructions include at least one instruction which, whenexecuted by the at least one processor, causes said award to be based onthe number of other displayed selections picked by the player that haveat least one characteristic that matches one of the characteristics ofthe selection functioning as the base.
 36. The memory device of claim31, wherein the plurality of instructions include at least oneinstruction which, when executed by the at least one processor, causesat least one displayed selection picked by the player to be replacedwith another selection.
 37. The memory device of claim 31, wherein theplurality of instructions include at least one instruction which, whenexecuted by the at least one processor, causes a random selection of thedisplayed selections.
 38. The memory device of claim 31, which isselected from the group consisting of a random access memory, a readonly memory, and an application-specific circuit.
 39. A memory devicewhich includes a plurality of instructions, that when executed by atleast one processor, cause a gaming device to provide a play of a gamecomprising: (a) a selection and display of one of a plurality ofselections, each selection having at least two characteristics, saidselected and displayed selection initially functioning as a base, (b) aselection and display of a plurality of the remaining selections, (c) aplayer to input sequential picks of the plurality of displayedselections until all of the displayed selections are picked or until nopreviously unpicked displayed selection has at least one characteristicthat matches one of the characteristics of the selection functioning asthe base for said pick, wherein (i) each picked displayed selection musthave at least one characteristic that matches one of the characteristicsof the selection functioning as the base for said pick, (ii) each pickedselection functions as the base for the subsequent player pick, and(iii) an indication of at least one optimal selection, if any, from theplurality of previously unpicked displayed selections is displayed, eachof said optimal selections based on the characteristics of thepreviously unpicked displayed selections and of the selectionfunctioning as the base for said pick, and (d) an award to be providedto the player based on the player picked selections.
 40. The memorydevice of claim 39, wherein the plurality of instructions include atleast one instruction which, when executed by the at least oneprocessor, causes the award to be based on the number of other displayedselections picked by the player that have at least one characteristicthat matches one of the characteristics of the selection functioning asthe base.
 41. The memory device of claim 39, wherein the plurality ofinstructions include at least one instruction which, when executed bythe at least one processor, causes at least one displayed selectionpicked by the player to be replaced with another one of the selections.42. The memory device of claim 39, wherein the plurality of instructionsinclude at least one instruction which, when executed by the at leastone processor, causes a random selection of the displayed selections.43. The memory device of claim 39, wherein the plurality of instructionsinclude at least one instruction which, when executed by the at leastone processor, causes only enabling the player to input a pick of one ofthe optimal selections for each pick if there are any optimal selectionsfor said pick.
 44. The memory device of claim 39, wherein the pluralityof instructions include at least one instruction which, when executed bythe at least one processor, causes only enabling the player to input apick of one of the optimal selections for each pick if there are anyoptimal selections for said pick after a designated number of picks ofnon-optimal selections.
 45. The memory device of claim 39, which isselected from the group consisting of a random access memory, a readonly memory, and an application-specific circuit.